MFR-IRST integration in the naval environment

A low elevation threat can potentially exploit degradations in radar performance on naval platforms caused by multipath effects and sea clutter. Particularly in littoral environments and when electronic countermeasures are deployed, the use of radar with dissimilar (passive) sensors promises significant improvements in target detection and tracking capability. This paper provides an insight into a research project that has investigated the interactive integration of the Multifunction Electronically Scanned Adaptive Radar (MESAR2) and infrared search-and-track (IRST) sensor, based on the Air Defence Alerting Device, in a technology demonstrator trials programme. The sensor integration was achieved using the sensor fusion and tracking system known as TOTS (Target Oriented Tracking System).